Wednesday, March 28, 2012

Extra Yarn

Last Saturday night was a rainy cold one, and I had a craving for pizza. I tried to talk myself out of it-- too chilly out there, the roads are too wet, and goodness knows I need to eat more salad, not pizza. But the craving wouldn't listen to reason so I bundled up and headed for Pizza My Heart. (Have you ever had their Big Sur pizza? YUM.)


Boy am I glad I went. The independent bookstore a few doors down, Hicklebee's, was promoting the children's book Extra Yarn , and apparently decided to yarn bomb their own store.

At first I only noticed one window display, but the longer I stood there with a goofy smile on my face, the more yarn I noticed.


Extra Yarn is the story of a little girl in a dreary world who finds a colorful box of yarn that changes everything when she begins to knit for people, animals, buildings, and trees.

I can totally relate to that.





 


 

Friday, March 23, 2012

This Moment

A Friday ritual. No words, just one photo of a special moment during the week that I want to savor and remember.

Joining with Soule Mama.
 

Wednesday, March 21, 2012

Potato Chip Scarf



Last Sunday I met my friend Dogwood for lunch, and while we waited for our table at the Cheesecake Factory she taught me how to make this highly addictive (and easy peasy) scarf.

Apparently this scarf goes by many names. I like "Potato Chip Scarf" best, probably because I like potato chips in general.  The pattern can be found at the blog Free Motion.

I'm knitting it with a skein of hand painted silk I bought at Stitches last year that I am absolutely in love with. At one point I had buyer's remorse for purchasing yet another single skein of yarn just because it was pretty, but now I'm so glad I splurged.

 Thank you, Dogwood, for teaching me this pattern!

Sunday, March 18, 2012

Pieces of red

Thank you everyone for your nice words about my last "This Moment" photo. A few people asked what Lily is wrapped in-- it's the Forest Canopy shawl I knit a few years ago. Some day I hope to give it to her, if she wants it. It's special to me because it's the first lace shawl I ever knit.

Square pieces of red are piling up for the matinee jacket. It's such an enjoyable knit. I'm working on sleeves now, and it won't be long before I'm putting the pieces together. Wish me luck!
I saw so many cute things made with fabric at Stitches West a few weeks ago that I became obsessed with finding cloth napkins to buy on Etsy. These kittens from  Cottage Daydreams seemed perfect. I'm not sure if I will keep them for myself or give them away as a gift.
Photo from Vogue Knitting, Spring/Summer 2012
Last night while laying in bed and browsing the latest issue of Vogue Knits,  this oversized pullover caught my eye. After studying the pattern I decided I actually have the skills to knit it (we'll see). The yarn is a cotton/soy blend called Soja, which I've never seen or heard of, so I ordered one ball online to make sure it is soft enough for my skin and easy enough for my fingers to knit with. If it passes those two tests, I think I'm going to make it. 

Friday, March 16, 2012

This Moment

A Friday ritual. No words, just one photo of a special moment during the week that I want to savor and remember.

Joining with Soule Mama. 



Wednesday, March 14, 2012

Knitting by the Sea

One learns first of all in beach living the art of shedding; how little one can get along with, not how much. -Anne Morrow Lindbergh



I forgot how soothing it is to be near the ocean, needles in hand, listening to the rhythmic crashing of the waves. When I knit on the beach, I like to knit simple patterns so my hands can move from memory and my mind can take a much-needed rest.



Last weekend I spent a day by the ocean and a night at a rustic retreat center in the forest.



It was like coming home after being away for a long, long time.


Friday, March 9, 2012

This Moment

{this moment} - A Friday ritual. A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember.

Joining with Soule Mama.

Tuesday, March 6, 2012

Laidback Knitters


Don't you love it when you stumble across a great book you didn't even know existed? I found  10 Secrets of the Laidback Knitters at my library, took it home and read it cover to cover while curled up in bed. (Where else to read a book about being laidback?)

It was soooo good that I might need to buy a copy. The book is about enjoying the process as much as the end result and includes lots of patterns, profiles, advice, stories, and inspiration.

One of my favorite "secrets" in the book is to find yourself a wise woman, someone who guides you along the knitting path, allows you to be your own weird self, never puts you down, and encourages you to take on new challenges. Another favorite is learning to knit without patterns.


But for now I am still knitting with a pattern, this little matinee jacket I mentioned last week. Sorry my photo of the photo in the book isn't great, but I was racing against the setting sun. You can see better pics on Ravelry if you'd like. While I can't wait to try going patternless, I'm loving this particular pattern so much I did some lunchtime knitting in my car at work today.

Do you consider yourself a laidback knitter?

Friday, March 2, 2012

This Moment

{this moment} - A Friday ritual. A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember.

Joining with Soule Mama.